Process and apparatus for producing compound metal objects.



J. F. MONNOT. PROGRES AND APPARATUS FOB PBODUGING GOMPQUND METALOBJECTS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11. 1907.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES INVENTR NEYS a ATTOR J. F. MONNOT. PROCESS AND APPARATUS POBPRODUCING COMPUND METAL OBJECTS. APPLIUATION FILED MAY 11, 1901.

91 0,405. Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

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I l 11111111111111111114' vll/M WITNESSES:

y BYAJ mvENTon ATTRN EYS J. P. MONNOT. POR PRODUGING COMP UND METALOBJECTS. 1907.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS APPLICATION FILED MAY 11.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES:

mi l

ATTURNEYS J. F. MONNOT. PRooEss AND APPARATUS PoR PRODUGING coMPoUNDAPPLIOATION FILED MAY 11. 1907.

WITNESSES:

METAL OBJECTS.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. MONNOT, OF

NEW YOR, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO DUPLEX METALS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND METAL OBJECTS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

Application filed May 11, 1907. Serial No. 373,117.

YTo all whom it may concern:

York, in the county of New York and State ofl New York, have invented acertain new and useful Process of and Ap aratus for Producing CompoundMetal Ob3ects; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of' the same, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains t0 make and use the same.

My invention relates to a process of and apparatus for producingcompound metal bodies; which process and apparatus are capable of beingso performed and used as to produce bodies in which layers of unlikemetals such, for example, as iron and copper, are united by a union euivalent'to, and analogous to, and probab y constituting, a

weld union corresponding in nature and per-y manlency to a weld unionbetween layers of stee f In my Patent No. 853,716, dated May 14, 1907, Ihave set forth a discovery made by me, which is that unlike metals.,such as steel and copper for example, which do not unite readily or atall at ordinary metal working temperatures and by ordinary procedure,even when the copper is cast at ordinary copper casting temperaturesinto contact with the surface of the steel, nevertheless unite readilyand permanently when the co per is heated to a temperature considerablyabove the ordinary casting temperature, reaching a condition to which Ihave applied the term supermolten condition; the metal when at such hightemperature being apparently hi hly reactive. 1n said applica tion Ihave c aimed the process of uniting unlike metals involving the heatingof one of them to thissupermolten condition.

The specific method of procedure set forth 'Nin said ap lication ofcausing a layer of making of large compound billets by the segregationmethod. l

According to my present invention an article to be coated (hereaftertermed the billet) is preferably first preliminarily heated ashereinafter described, and' then passed through a body of supermoltencoating metal and out through a suitable die gaging accurately thethickness of coating formed by the action of the supermolten metal onthe surface of the billet and causin the solidication of the moltenmetal. referably, though Ynot necessarily, the billet is passedvertically through the bath of su ermolten metal, the Cruciblecontaining t e supermolten metal having in its bottoman opening for thepassage of said billet, said o ening registering with the bore of asuitab e die, which bore is of a diameter precisely adapted to permitthe passage of said billet with the predetermined thickness of coatingthereon, and to cause the solidification of such coating during thepassage of the billet through the die, so that the billet as it emergesfrom the die will be covered with a coating solidified fromithe moltenmetal. The said opening vin the Crucible is closed normally by asuitable closure (commonly a graphite lug) which is forced down and outby the bil et as the latter is passedthrough the crucible and saidopening; and the said billet in turn carries at its to a plug by whichas the upper end of said billet passes through said opening in thebottom of the crucible, the said lug closes such o ening temporarily andunti the ermanent c osure forced downward by the illet can be replaced.As the billet emerges from the die it 1s preferably received Within asuitable casing containingr a protective atmosphere, whereby the billetis permitted to cool without contact with air.

In my saidlatent No. 853,716 I have de scribed two methods of formingcoatings by means of supermolten metal; one involving the formation ofthe com lete coating from the supermolten metal, t e other involving theformation of a mere film coating fromthe su ermolten metal and then theaddition of 'a urther coating, constituting the greater art of' thedesired coating, from a second ath of molten metal. The process andapparatus herein described permit an analogous method of formingcoatings, the billet being `passed through a bath of supermolten metal,

as just described, and out through an `orifice of such size that only afilm coating is formed on the surface of the billet, and thence into aspace containing another body of molten metal, preferably at atemperature more closely approximating ordinary casting temperature ofsuch metal, and thence out through a `die adapted to regulate thethickness of the coating and to cause solidification of the moltenmetal, as already described.

My invention consists both in the process above outlined and hereinaftermore fully described and claimed, and in the apparatus for carrying outsuch process, hereinafter described.

The objects of my invention are to facilitate the production of compoundmetal objects, particularly those comprising unlike metals weldedtogether, to overcome difficulties heretofore experienced in carryingout the commercial production of such objects, to avoid the use of largecrucibles and deep baths of molten metal, to avoid oxidation of theobjects to be coated and of the molten metal, and to make theapparatuslsimple, durable, easily used, reliable, and capable ofuniform, rapid, and even continuous work.

ln the accom anying drawings I illustrate certain forms o apparatus forcarrying out the process above outlined.

In said drawings: Figure 1 shows a central vertical section and Fig. 2shows, (on a relatively smaller scale) a plan view, of one form of mysaid apparatus, adapted for forming the entire coating from a singlebath of molten metal. Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating theconnections for supplying cooling water to the die. Fig. 4 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 1 but illustrates a slightly different and alternativemethod of closing the opening in the crucible through which the billetpasses, and an alternative form of cooling and gaging die. Fig. 5 isanother view similar to Fig. 1 but showing apparatus adapted to form thecomplete coating from two bodies of molten metal with which the billetmakes contact successively, and Fig. 6 shows a plan view of saidapparatus. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one form of billet which may beused, showing means whereby billets may be fitted together one on top ofanother to be assed through the coating apparatus in continuoussuccession. Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 5 of a further alternativeform of ap aratus in which a thin or film coating is tldrmed by passingthe billet through molten metal and the main coating is formed bycasting.

Referring now to the drawings,` and at first to Figs. 1 and 2, 1designates a crucible containing, or adapted to contain, molten coatingmetal, preferably supermolten metal; said crucible being shown mountedwithin a suitable furnace chamber 2 having a port 3 through' which flamemay be introduced.

Without limiting myself to any particular source of heat, I will statethat I prefer a jet flame such as mayT be produced by well knownatomizing oil burners. To receive the impact of the flame and reducewearing action of the flame on the crucible itself, the ame is caused toimpinge on a renewable face 4 of refractory material; from which it isrefiected and diffused and caused to fill chamber 2, rising up aroundthe crucible 1 and passing off through an offtake 5, whence it passes toa furnace 6 for preliminary heating, as hereinafter described. Above thecrucible 1 there is a top plate 7 having an orifice for the passage ofthe billet to be coated, centered over the crucible; and a sleeve 8,forming a continuation of such orifice, depends from said plate. A ring9 of crucible mixture, carborundum, or other suitable refractorymaterial, may float on the surface of the molten metal within thecrucible, serving to confine a body of molten flux, 10, through whichthe billet will pass before it reaches the molten metal. However, thisring and body of fiux are not necessary, particularly when, ashereinafter described, suitable precautions are taken to preventoxidation of the surface of the billet to be coated; A

nevertheless such layer of flux is always convenient, because of theeflicient protection of the surface of the molten metal thereby.

Within the preliminary heating furnace, 6, are one or more receptaclesfor the billets to be coated, each consisting, in the form shown, of ametal casing 11 protected by a covering of refractory materlal 12. Theremay be as many of these billet receptacles as desired in furnace 6; Ihave shown Vtwo such receptacles but do not limit myself to anyparticular number. the top of the furnace 6, over these receptacles andnormally closed by covers 13, for the introduction and withdrawal of thebillets.

In the bottom of crucible 1 there is an opening 14 for the passage ofthe billet; and inasmuch as there 1s apt to be some wearing away of themargins of this opening the bottom of the crucible is recessed androvided with an inserted bushing 15 of crucible mixture, graphite, orthe like, which may be renewed from time to time to keep the orifice inthe bottom of the crucible of substantially uniform size. Beneath saidbushing there is a gaging and cooling die, 16, suitably held up againstthe bottom of the crucible. This die contains an opening of the exactsize of the billet plus the desired thickness of coating. The orifice inthe bottom of the crucible 1 is closed normally b' a plug 17 of graphiteor similar material; encath which, and separated therefrom by a body ofgraphite paste 18, is a metal plug 19, fitting closely the bore of thedie 16, and held to graphite plug 17 by a bolt 2U having a T-headfitting within a suitable recess in lug 17 and provided with a screw-nut2l. eneath the plug 19 is a emana rod' 22 cnnnectedtomeansfforpressingtit up against the end of the bolt 20, such forexample as the1cross-head 23, rods 24, chains 25 passing. over pulleys 26, and counter-5 weights 27;` but the particular means. em.- ployed for pressing therod 22 upward is'un.- 1mportant.,exceit that 'preferably it should besomething W ich holds said rod up yieldingly, and. with a pressure whichis-readily adjustable;y The pressure exerted by the mechanismv shown isreadily adjustable by adding to or taking from the weights 27.

While the presence of a layer of flux over the-body ofmoltenmetal incrucible 1 makes thorough cleaning and protection of. the surface of thebillet against oxidation less important than would be the case if saidiiux were not present (flux, such for example as borax7 having the powerof dissolvingoxid on the surface of the billet) yet I prefer to cleanthe surface of the billet thoroughly beforeheating,.andz to heat itpreliminarily and transfer it. to the metal in crucible 1 underconditions't precluding oxidation. To this end Idonot expose thebilletstothe action of theheating gases of furnace 6, but provide thereceptacles; 11, already described; and. y Il further provide `means forfilling said. receptacles with a protective atmospreferab phere, such asplroducer gas made'fromrcoke,

charcoalor ant racite, and containing no decomposible-hydrocarbons; towhich end` I providea pipe 2.8 leading toeaeh receptacle g 11, andthroughwhich producer gas may be introducedtherein.

billet with asimilar protective atmosphere durin 1, suc 'as afbell-'ar`292 provided, at` its iower end, with a tip of. clay or other:refractory material, adapted to force out the plug 1-7 at the bottom ofthe crucible, and the porter bar by which it. is handled is-provfidedwith a covering ofl refractory material adapted to form a temporaryclosure for theopening'lfi at the bottom of the crucible untill the lugY17 can be replaced. 31, in Fig. 1, esignates the said illet, 32 the claytip at its bottom, 33 the porter bar, and 34 the refractory coveringtherefor. Suitable means, not shown, are

rovided for raising and lowering the porter ar and the bell-jar 29,together or se 'arately, as. required. The bell-j a1 is provi( ed with avalved iiexible pipe, 35, for supplying a protective atmosphere, such ast e producer gas above mentioned, thereto, andanother pipe 36 is adaptedfor supplyingproducer gas or other `suitable protective atmosphere tothe space within sleeve 8- and between the surface of the contents ofthe crucible and the cover 7. Beneath the die 16 I provide a casing 37adapted to receive the coated billet, said chamber also pro- 66y vided.with a pipe, 38, for lling it with a pro- I further provide means forsurrounding the preliminarily-heated.

its transfer from furnace 6' to furnaceV The billet usually istectiveatmosphere.` Casing 37 is readily detachable from die 16, and serves toreceive the coated billet and then, when detached from the die 16, toprotect said billet against oxidation while it is being carried away andwhile it is cooling. Rails 39 ermit the passageof a car'adapted to picllup and carry away the casing 37 and its contents.

The die 16 serves not only to regulate the thickness of the coating, butto cool to solid condition the coating metalV which, as it emerges fromthe interior of crucible 1, is still molten and (if at su ermoltentemperature) highly liquid. Tot iis end the die is provided with meansfor circulating cooling water or other cooling medium through it, suchasa assage 40. In'the construction shown in FPig. 1 and Fig. 3 I haveshown the die provided with a number of such passages 40, suplplied withcooling fluid through separate va ves 41, so that by opening some or allofsaid'valves theV temperature of the die may be regulated, andifdesired the lower portion of the die may be kept much cooler than theupper portion, or vice versa.

The methodk of carrying on the process with the ap aratus` as shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3 is as ollows: The metal in crucible 1 beingA moltenand,(if a weld union is to be produced), in a supermolten condition, and 95the billet 31, previously cleaned, being Within preliminary heatingfurnace 6 and heated to the roper tem erature, the belljar 29 is moved).over said illet, the cover 13 removed, the porter bar 33 lowered through100 the bell-jar and connected to the billet, and the-billet raisedintothe bell jar. Said belljar and billet are then moved over the crucible1, the bell-jar being centered accurately over the sleeve 8 as may bedone readily; 105

'the top plate 7 having, as shown, an annular the surface of the billetremains-1n contact with the su ermolten metal in the crucible therequire time (a few seconds usually suffices); and when the lower end ofthe billet, or the clay point 32 thereon, encoun- 120 ters the to of theplug 17 in the bottom of the crucib e, said plug is forced down and out,the weights 27 being lightened, if necessary, to facilitate this, andpressure being applied upon the top of the porter bar if re- 12.3 qulredfor the same urpose. As the billet continues` to descend) it forces theplug 17 and 'the parts below it down into the casing 37, the billetfollowing said parts down into the casing; when the lower end of thererily preventing the escape of the moltenl meta The billet is thenforced downward by the porter bar into the casing 37, and thendetachedand removed and said casing is detached from the die 16 andremoved, a new plug 17 being then placed in the opening 14 in the bottomof the crucible, the space beneath filled with graphite aste 18, and themetal plug 19 inserted an screwed up so as to compress the plasticmaterial 18 and completely close the opening in the bottom of thecrucible and prevent all escape of molten metal. A new casing 37 maythen be attached and the operations repeated as desired.

While it is practicable to coat a number of billets in the mannerdescribed, until the amount of coating metal in the crucible has beendiminished considerably, and then add a further increment of moltencoating metal, I prefer to add such molten metal continuously, heatingit to supermolten condition in another furnace not shown, and thenrunning it into the crucible 1 through a runner 50.

The billets may be passed through the crucible 1 in continuoussuccession, each billet having in its top a centering recess 43 (Fig. 7)to receive the taper point or refractory point 32 of the next billet. Insuch case as soon as the top of one billet has disappeared in sleeve 8,its porter bar will be detached, and bell-jar 29 removed, and anotherbillet brought over it and lowered down until in engagement with it. Insuch case the casing 37 may be bottomless, (see Fig. 5), the lowerporter bar, 22, being moved out of the way to permit a coated andsufficiently cooled billet to drop and then replaced to support the nextsucceeding billet 1n its descent until sufliciently cooled.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 4 isl equivalent to tnat shown in Fig. 1,but instead of the plug 17 being removed through the bottoln of thecrucible, it is arranged to be lifted out by means of a ring 44 just`before a billet is placed over the crucible, the opening in the bottomof the crucible being kept closed nevertheless by the lug 45 ofrefractory material until the billet forces said plug downward as abovedescribed. In this iigure I have shown the die 16 as slightly tapering,to compensate for contraction of .the coating in cooling.

The coat-ing is formed in the same manner in both cases, the annularlayer of molten metal which emerges with the billet through the openingin the bottom of the crucible being solidified upon contact with theWalls of the die 16. The conditions which obtain are particularlyadvantageous for the forma.- tion of good close grained non-porouscoatings of copper and like metals, for it is exceedingly desirable inthe case of copper and many other non-ferrous metals to cool them asrapidly as possible from the molten to the solid condition. While themolten metal is solidifying under 'merely the hydrostatic pressure ofthe column of molten metal in the crucible above it, this pressure isuniform over all portions of the coating so that the coating is uniformthroughout; and this pressure is suflicient to materially improve thequality of the cast metal, which quality is further improved by theextremely rapid solidication due to the cooling action of the die 16,and also because it is cast under conditions preventing absorption ofair and other gases. i

The apparatus shown in Fi s. 5 and 6 permits the coating to be forme intwo operations. T he crucible is here substantially the same as thatshown in Fi 1, except that it is provided with a second camber 46adapted to contain molten metal for the formation of' the main body ofcoating, a duct 47 leading from the bottom of this chamber 46 to anenlar ement in the liner 15 corresponding to the slze of the desiredcoated billet. In this case the opening 14 in the bottom of the crucibleis as near as may be the diameter of the billet plus a very thin filmcoating formed by the action of the supermolten metal. rlhe duct 47 isclosed except during the casting operation, by a suitable plug 4Sarranged to e raised or removed by convenient means such as commonlyemployed. The operation of this form of apparatus is the same as thatpreviously described, except that the lug 48 is raised 'ust as the lowerend of t e billet passes t rou h the opening 14 in the bottom of thecrucib e and engages plug 45 to force the same downward. rIhe moltenmetal from the second chamber 46 then fills the annular space betweenthe billet and the walls of the liner 15, contacting with the ilmcoating formed in the main chamber of crucible 1 and uniting thereto.'Ihe die 16 as before regulates the thickness of the complete coating.Preferably, the fluid metals 1n the two chambers have about the samelevel, so that there is no tendency for flow of metal from one chamberto the other, and preferably the molten metal is supplied continuouslyto both chambers, during the coating operation, so that the coatings areformed under practically constant pressure.

Forming the coating in two stages, as by the apparatus shown in Ifigs. 5and 6, has the important advantage that thereby the bulk of the coatinis formed from metal applied at or near or inary casting temperatures.'I have found that copper in particular, when in the supermoltencondition, is very readily contaminated. It appears to take up iron bydirect solution and for that reason is apt v the plug 17, which, withthe to be contaminated. by' iron climbed the billets themselves; theAelectrical con ductivity ofthe metal being thus decreased.w When thecoating is conducted in two' stages as with the apparatus of Figs. 5 and6, only the supermolten metal in the main chamber of the crucible hasany opportunity to become contaminated With iron from the billet or froma part of the apparatus; and as the film coating formed from thesupermolten metal froms an almost inappreciable part of the completecoating, the main ortion of such coating being of metal which aspraetically no opportunity for contamination, the electricalconductivity of the coating as a Whole may be very high.

In the alternative form of apparatus shown in Fig. 8, instead of acasing 37 to receive the coated billet I provide a mold 51; and the die16 in this case is of such diameter that the coating formed on thebillet during the passage of the latter through said die is verythin-hardly more, preferably, than a film coating.l 'lhe film-coatedbillet as it emerges from the die is centered Within the mold byengagement of its lower end with lug 19, is adapted to form the bottomof tlrfe mold 51. The duct 47 leads to the space just beneath die 16. Inthis case, the film-coated billet is lowered to the bottom of the mold51, still centered therein at the bottom as previously described, andcentered at the to by its porter bar, and then molten metal fiom thesecond chamber 46 is caused to run into the mold and fill the spacebetween the filmcoated billet and the sides of the mold; after which themold may be removed, a permanent closure for the o ening 14 in thecrucible inserted, a new mol ut in lace, and the operation repeated. 'le mol smay be rovlded with means for filling them Wit a protectiveatmosphere, the same as the casings 37.

While I have described the use of a reliminary heating furnace in whichthe b' ets are protected against oxidation, and I have described meansfor transferring the billets to crucible 1 which also protects saidbillets from oxidation, I d o not mean to confine myself to the use ofthese devices, though I consider their use desirable. If a layer of flux10 of oXid-dissolving material and of' sullicient depth 'be employed,and the billets be not passe through such layer too rapidly, a moderatelayer o oxid on the surface of the billet can be dissolved off by theflux. For example, using a flux layer of sufficient thickness, it ispracticable to heat the billet preliminarily in an ordinaryfurnace-preferably one operating with a reducing llameL and then totransfer said billet quickly through the air and lower it into the fluxlayer and thence into the molten metal; the

ap lying a coating formed from fluent materia by forcing out and aroundthe object to be coated an annular envelop ofthe fluent material andcausing the latter to solidify. Such process, sometimes termed anextrusion process, is Well known in certain connections; for example,the insulation of electric conductors and the application of leadcoverings to insulated cables. My process above described is clearlydistinguished from such extrusion processes in many im rtant respects;for example, the absence o or of necessity for, great pressure, thecoating bein formed under merely the pressure due to t e smallhydrostatic pressure of. the column of molten metal above the die andthe ressure due to the action ofthe die also in t e extreme fluidity ofthe metal from which the coating is formed, the fluidity of the coatingmaterial used in common extrusion processes being due usually to theenormous ressure employed; also in the formation o a film-coating by theaction of the superfnolten metal on each portion ofthe surface of thebillet While such portion is still in the main body of molten metal andbefore the formation of an annular envelo around such portion has hegun;also in t e high temperature of the molten metal, to which hightemperature the formation of such film-coatin is due. A That afilm-coating will be form by the supermolten metal if the billet bemerel contacted with the supermolten metal for a ew seconds and thenwithdrawn and allowed to cool under conditions precluding oxidation, andthat such film-coating so formed is united to the billet by a unionwhich is, or is analogous and equivalentto, a true weld-union, so thatthe coating cannot be'stri ped olf as can an ordinary cast-on coating,llas been set forth in several of my'prior applications. It is obviousthat the same welded-on film must be formed on the billet b thesupermolten metal, whether i that bi et be withdrawn from thesupermolten metal after brief con-V tact therewith and allowed to coolunder conditions precluding oxidation, or Whether the billet be passedon through the molten metal and a layer of such molten metal caused toform about and solidify upon said billet; and this Welded-on filmcoating obviously servos as the means for unitin the unlike metals ofthe billet and body of t e coating.

In the case of coatings formed 'in two steps, as for example theapparatus of Figs. 5 and 8, it is not essential that`both bodies of Athe double-coating met od, may be applied molten metal be ofthe samekind. The rst l may be copper or silver or like metal and the second analloy, such as brass or bronze, which cannot be heated, or heatedsafely, to the supermolten temperature. In general, all the variousmetals which in prior applications I have stated are referably appliedby by the method above described with reference to Figs. 5 and 8.

It will be noted that the method and apparatus above described permitthe coating of objects of great length in relatively shallow crucibles,so that the sizeof the billets treated is not limited by the practicabledepth of the crucibles employed. It is desirable that the crucibles benot of great depth, because the crucible material is Weakened by thehigh temperature to which it is subjected, and should not be exposed totoo great pressure.

When necessary I arrange to lubricate the surface of the die 16 tofacilitate assage of the coated ingot therethrough. o this end I providethe die with an annular duct 55 (Fig. 4) having small openin s as showncommunicating with the bore o the die; and this annular duct 55 Iconnect by a pi e 56 with a cup 57 adapted to contain the ubricant (forexample graphite made into a paste by means of oil,) said cu providedwith suitable means for forcing iilie material through pipe 56 and duct55 and the said perforations into the bore of the die; such means beingfor example, an adjustable loading spring.

What I claimz- 1. The process of producing compound metal objects, whichconsists in passin an object to be coated through and out of a ath of imolteny metal maintained at a temperature much above its melting pointand in the described condition for forming permanent unions, causing alayer of such molten metal to iioW out around said object as it emergesfrom such bath, and causing such surrounding layer of molten metal tosolidify on said object.

2. The process of producing compound metal obj ects, which consistsinpassin an object to be coated through and out of a atb of molten metalmaintained at a temperature much above its melting point and in thedescribed condition for forming permanent unions, causing a layer ofsuch molten metal to flow out around said object as it emerges from suchbath, causing a further layer of molten metal to surround said-firstlayer and unite thereto, and causing both layers of molten metal tosolidify on said object.

3. The process of producing com ound metal objects, which consists inpreliminarily heating an object to be coated, transferring the sameunder conditions precluding oxidation, to, and passing said objectthrough and out of, a bath of molten metal maintained at a temperaturemuch above its melting point and 1n the described condition for formingermanent unions, causing a layer of such mo ten metal to flow out aroundsaid object as it emerges from such bath, and causin s'uch surroundinglayer of molten metal to so id ify on said object.'

4. The process of producing compound metal objects, which consists inreliminariljyT heating an object to be coate transferring the same underconditions precluding oxidation, to, and passing said object through andout of, a bath of molten metal maintained at a tem erature muchabove itsmelting point and-1n the described condition for forming Ipermanentunions, causing a layer of such mo ten metal to flow out around saidobject as it emerges fro'm such bath, causing a further layer of moltenmetal to surround said first layer and unite thereto, and causing bothlayers of molten metal to solidify on said object.

5. The process of producing compound metal objects, Which consists insurrounding a moving object to be coated with an enveloping stream ofmolten metal flowing therewith and initially in the herein describedsupermolten condition, and causing such stream to solidify on thesurface of such object.

6. The process of producing compound metal objects, which consists inpassing an object to be coated downward through a bath of molten metalmaintained in the described supermolten condition, and causing a streamof such molten metal to envelopand flow With said object as it emergesfrom said bath, and causing such stream to solidify on the surface ofsuch object.

7. The process of producing compound metal objects, which consists insurrounding a moving object, to be coated with an enveloping stream ofmolten metal flowing there- With and initially in the herein describedsupermolten condition, surrounding such stream With a further stream ofmolten metal and causing such second stream also to flow with saidobject, and causing both streams to solidify on said object.

8. The process of producing compound metal objects, which consists inpassing objects to be coated downward through a bath of molten metalmaintained in the described supermoltencondition and causing a stream ofsuch molten metal to envelop and flow with said object as it emergesfrom said bath, surrounding said stream with a further stream of moltenmetal and causing such second stream also to flow with said object, andcausing both streams to solidify on said object. A

9. The process of producing compound metal objects, which consists inpreheating an object to be coated and passing the same through a layerof cleansing flux and then through an underlying layer of moltencoatandcamsinga` mnlten` metal. to flow imcontazcnwithzsnridohj enti andsolidify thereon'.

10. The. process ot producing compound.

metal. objects,- which consists in preheating:

anobject to be coated and passingV the same through a layer of cleansingflux and than' through an underlying layer of supermolten coating metaland forming a film-coating oni suchobject by the-action of thesupermolten metal and then causing an annular stream: of molten. metalto-surround and. flow with said film-coated object and solidify thereon.

11. Apparatus for producing compound metal objects comprising? areceptaclev for molten metal. formedof refractory material` and havingat a pointbelow the normalsur'- face level of its contents an. opening.and a1 liner bushing fittingA into a. recess` beyond and in line withsuch opening. and' ai die beyond said bushing.

12. Apparatus for producing compound. metal objects.- comprising al,receptacle for molten. metal having a discharge: opening,. a plugof'refractory material at the inner end` of saidV discharge opening,anotherplug be.-

ond the same; vplastic packing' materiali etweensaid plugs, and meansfor compressing the same. i 13. Apparatus for producing compoundA metalobjectscomprising, al cruciblehaving an opening in its bottom, a plugon. the inner side of said opening, anotherA plugoni the outer sidethereof, meansfor holding said latter plug upward, and4 plastic materialbetween said plugsi 14. Apparatus. fon producing compound:

metal objects comprising a crncible having an opening in its bottom,` adie` forming a continuation of said opening,I a. plug in saidV opening,a. plug in. saiddie, andi means for forcing the latter plug inward.

15. Apparatus for producing; compound metall objects comprising aycrucible having a discharge-opening adapted to permit passage of; theobjects tofbe-coated, a dieinline with said. opening, a receivingchamber beyoud. said die., and means for closing; said opening.

16. Apparatus` tor.V producing. compound metal objects comprising a:crucible having a discharge openingiadaptedto permit pas-- sage ofL theobjectsto-be coated-,.and: a die in line withl said. opening andi.provided With cooling means.

17,. Apparatus for. producing compound. metal objects comprising', aCrucible` having; a discharge opening` adapted. tox permit, passage ofthe objects to be coated, a die inline with said opening provided withcooling.I means, and a receiving; chamber.` beyond said die.

18. Apparatus for producing compound metal objects comprising acruciblehaving a discharge opening adapted to permit pas- 'molten metalhaving aV discharge opening adapted to permit passage of the objects tobecoated, a die in line with said opening, and means for supporting andguiding said objects after (passing through said die comprising a yieling support.

21.. A paratusfor producing compound metal objects comprising; areceptacle for molten metal having a discharge opening in its bottomadapted to permit passage of the objects to be coated, a diein line withsaid opening, and a yielding support beneath said die.

22. A paratus for producing compound metal-` o Ijects comprising areceptacle for molten metal having a'discharge opening in its bottomadaptedy to permit passage of the objects to be coated, a die in linewith said opening, a receiving chamber beyond said die, and a yieldingsupport passing through said chamber.

23. A paratus for producing compound metal o jects comprisingareceptacle for molten metal havmg two chambers, an opening in one ofthem for the passage of the o jects to be coated, and a duct leadingfrom the other chamber to a space beneath said opening.

24. A paratusfor producing compound. metal o jects comprising areceptacle for molten metal having; tfWo chambers, an opening in one'ofthem for the passage of the o jects to be coated*7 an apertured diebeyond and in line` with said opening, and a duet. leading from theotherchamber to the space between said openin and die.

25. A aratusfor pro usingl compound metal o jects comprising areceptacle for molten` metal having two chambers, an o ening in. onevofthem for the passage of the objects to be coated, an apertured diebeyond and inline with said opening adapted to cool, molten metalflowing around and with objects passing therethrough, and means forconveying molten metal from such secondchamber to a space adjacent suchan object.

2,6. Apparatus for" producingl compound metal objects comprising areceptacle for molten. metal. having two chambers, an opening in one ofthem for the passage of the o jects to be coated, an apertured diebeyond and in line with said opening adapted to cool molten metalflowing around and with objects passing therethrough, and means forconveying molten metal from said second chamber to an annular spacesurrounding objects passing through said opening and die, having itsdelivery at a point between said "opening and die. i

27. A aratus for producing compound metal o jects comprising areceptacle for molten metal having tWo chambers, an opening in one ofthem for the passage of the o jects to be coated, means for closing saidopening, a duct leading from the other chamber to space beneath saidclosing means, and a die forming a continuation of said opening.

28. Apparatus for producing compound metal objects comprising twochambers for holding molten metal, one having an opening for the passagethrough it of the objects to be coated, a die beyond said opening, meansfor closing said opening, a duct leading from the other chamber to a sace surrounding objects passing through sai opening and die, and meansfor closing said duct.

2Q. A paratus for producing compound metal objects comprising areceptacle for molten metal having in its bottom an opening for thepassage of objects to be coated, means for closing said opening, meansbeneath said opening for solidifying molten metal flowing from saidopening, and guiding means above said rece tacle.

3l). A aratus for procucing compound metal oijects comprising areceptacle for molten metal having in its bottom an opening for thepassage of objects to be coated, means for closing said opening, meansbeneath said opening for solidifying molten metal flowing from saidopening, and means above said receptacle having a centering seat in linewith said opening, adapted to receive and center ingot-guiding means.

31. Apparatus for producing compound metal objects comprising areceptacle for molten metal having in its bottom an opening for thepassage of objects to be coated, means for closing said opening, meansbeneath said opening for solidifying molten metal flowing from saidopening, a support above said receptacle having a centering seat in linewith said opening, and a chamber for transporting articles to becoated., adapted to be received in said seat.

32. Apparatus for producing compound metal objects comprising areceptacle for molten metal having in its bottom an opening for thepassage of objects to be coated, means for closing said opening, meansbeneath said opening for solidifying molten metal flowing from saidopening, and a cover over said receptacle having an lopening in linewith the opening in said receptacle and a sleeve depending from saidopening.

33. A paratusv for producing com ound metal o jects comprising areceptac e` for molten metal having in its bottom an opening for thepassage of objects to be coated, means for closing said opening, meansbeneath said opening for solidifying molten metal flowing from saidopening, and a cover over said receptacle having an opening in line withthe opening in said receptacle and a sleeve depending from said opening,and means for supplying a protective atmosphere to the interior of saidsleeve 34. A paratus for producing com ound metal o jects comprising areceptace for molten metal having inits bottom an opening for the assageof objects to be coated, means for c osing said openin means beneathsaid opening for solidi ying molten metal flowing from said opening, arin of refractory material floating on the sur ace of the metal in saidreceptacle and a layer of cleansing flux Within said ring.

35. Apparatus for producing compound metal objects comprising a furnacehaving a receptacle for molten metal, an annu ar flame space surroundinsaid receptacle and a removable llame di using body adapted to receiveimpactV of llame projecting into said chamber, said receptacle having ano ening in its bottom for the passage of objects to be coated, and meansbeneath said opening for solidifying molten metal flowing from saidopening.

36. Ari apparatus for producing comgound ine-tal objects comprising areceptac e for molten metal having beneath the normal surface level ofsuch molten metal an opening for the passage of an object to be coated,means for guiding an object to be coated through such `receptacle andout through said opening and means for closing said openingn 37.apparatusforproducingcom ound metal objects comprising a receptace formolten metal havin beneath the normal surface level of such 'mo tenmetal an opening for the passage of an object to be coated, means forguiding an object to be coated through such receptacle and out throughsaid opening, means for closing said vopening and an oriiced die beyondand in line with said opening and forming a continuation thereof.

38. An apparatus for producing com ound metal objects comprising areceptace for molten metal having beneath the normal surface level ofsuch molten metal an opening for the passage of an object to be coated,means for guiding an object to be coated through such receptacle and outthrough said opening, means for closing said opening, and an orificeddie provided with cooling means beyond and in line with said opening andforming a continuation thereof.

39. Apparatus for producing compound metal objects comprisl a receptaclefor Asaid opening havingl means for supplying a molten .metal havinlirlints Wall and below lubricant to its inner surface.

the norma evei or the molten metal, an 4i. A ratas iss:- psedseng eene.und opening for the passage of articles to be. metal o lects comprisinga receptac e for 20 coated, means for closing said opening and moltenmetal havin 1n lts wall an opening for the passage of o means forpassing articles to be coated for the passage of obJects to be coatedand an through mo ten metal in said receptacle apertured die 4beyond andin line with said and such yopening comprising a porter bar opening,having means for supplying a luuadapted for connection to the article tobe bricant to its inner surface, sal ie urther 25 coated and providedwith a plug of refracprovided with means for cooling it. tory materiaadapted to close said opening. In testimony whereof I ax my signature,

40. A paratus for producing com ound in the presence of two Witnesses. ymetalic Jects comprising a receptace for J. F. MONNOT. molten metalhaving) in its wall an openin Witnesses: 4

jects to be coated an H. M. MARBLE,

an apertured die beyond and in line with K. G. LE AJM).`

